Hundreds pay tribute to Kings' eldest

By TIMES WIRES
Published May 25, 2007

ATLANTA - Hundreds gathered Thursday to mourn Yolanda "Yoki" Denise King, the eldest daughter of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. who carried his legacy through her art and activism. Several veterans of the civil rights struggle attended, including Rep. John Lewis, former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young and the Rev. Joseph Lowery. Yolanda King died May 15 in California after collapsing. The 51-year-old actor, producer and motivational speaker was eulogized at Ebenezer Baptist Church, where her father preached from 1960 until his death in 1968. Poet Maya Angelou wrote a tribute, read during the memorial service: "Yolanda proved daily that it was possible to smile while wreathed in sadness."

Whale rescuers plan to use fire hoses

RIO VISTA, CALIF. - Marine biologists planned to spray fire hoses near two lost, injured whales today in an attempt to evoke a reaction that would force the pair to head back to saltwater. The method has never been tried before, and biologists don't know how the whales will respond. If they like the spray, crews will try to lure them back to the ocean; if they hate it, they'll try to force them there. The approach comes after attempts to lead them back to sea using the sounds of clanging pipes, feeding humpbacks and killer orcas failed. The mother whale and her calf were last spotted about 70 miles from the ocean, in an area of the Sacramento River where they have been circling for several days, said Carrie Wilson, a biologist with the state Department of Fish and Game.

Elsewhere

Ohio execution: An execution was delayed more than an hour Thursday while prison medical staff struggled to find suitable veins in the condemned man's arms - the second time that has happened in Ohio in little more than a year. The execution team stuck Christopher Newton at least 10 times with needles to get in place the shunts used to administer the lethal chemicals. Newton, 37, was pronounced dead at 11:53 a.m. at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville, Ohio; his execution had been set to begin at 10.

Louisiana hurricane grants: Louisiana's grant program for rebuilding hurricane-damaged homes is giving money to thousands who weren't supposed to be eligible, the White House's hurricane recovery czar testified Thursday. The program has a projected $3-billion shortfall. Donald Powell, federal coordinator for Gulf Coast rebuilding, told members of a Senate subcommittee that the federally funded grants only were intended to pay for flood - not wind - damage.

Heavy rain in Plains, Midwest: Torrential rainfall hit parts of the Plains and Midwest, flooding towns in Kansas Thursday, toppling trees and power lines and pelting the countryside with hail. Some central Kansas towns recorded as much as 7 inches of rain starting Wednesday.

Hawaii earthquake: The largest earthquake to hit a part of Volcanoes National Park in nearly 50 years shook up visitors Thursday, but no injuries or damage were reported. It was centered near the Kilauea volcano on Hawaii's Big Island.

Alabama slavery apology: The Alabama Legislature passed a resolution Thursday that expresses "profound regret" for the state's role in slavery. When Gov. Bob Riley signs the bill, Alabama will become the fourth state to apologize recently, after Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina.